Refrigerated showcase



Nov. 1, 1949 A. L. WEBER ET AL 2,486,724

REFRIGERATED SHOWCASE Filed April 8, 1946 O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O v/ o iO O I gvwa/HD/OS ALols L 'WEBER Knef. H. WEBER Patented Nov. l, 1949 REFRIGERATED SHOWCASE Alois L. Weber, Montrose, and Karl A. Weber,

Brentwood Heights,

Calif., assignors to Weber Showcase da Fixture Co., Inc.. Los Angeles. Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application April 8, 1946, Serial No. 660,396

9 Claims.

This invention relates to refrigerated show cases of the type known as self-service cases having an open top and inwhich no doors are employed. This particular type of case to which the present invention is directed commonly utilizes adisplay chamber in which articles of food, such as, for example, meat or fresh vegetables are contained. 'I'his display chamber commonly is partially enclosed by transparent partitions which are open at the top to permit ready access to the contents of the chamber. Above the level of the opening and to the rear of the show case is a cooling compartment in which the refrigerant coils are mounted for cooling the air which circulates through the display chamber. This invention is directed to an improved baille which is positioned between the display chamber and the cooling compartment which comprises an integral structure having parallel spaced baffles defining an air duct therebetween. A primary object of this invention is to provide a bae structure of this type which includes an air duct for conveying air from the display chamber to the cooling compartment, which baille structure is pivotally mounted so that it may be swung to an inoperative position in order to give access to the cooling compartment from the front of the show case.

Another object is to provide a baffle structure employing a pair of parallel baies which are each of insulated construction to minimize conduction of heat therethrough. f

Another object is to provide access to the display chamber from the rear of the refrigerator, in order that the supply of meat, vegetables, etc., may be replenished.

Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

in the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective View of a refrigerated show case embodying our invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 as shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view showing the rear-opening drawer in partially open position.

Figure 4 is a. detailed end View partly broken away showing the hinge connection between the baille structure and the show case wall.

Referring to the drawings, this invention is embodied in a self-service refrigerated show case having a rear wall l of the insulated type joined to an insulated floor il along its lower edge. A low front wall l2 extends upwardly from the floor l l and carries a transparent panel 'I3 along its upper edge. The rear wall l@ extends upwardly above the panel i3 and is joined to an insulated top section Ill which extends forwardly from the wall l0 and carries a depending skirt I5 along its front edge.

A baille structure generally designated l is attached to the lower end of the depending skirt I5 by means of releasable fastener elements IT. A

I baffle structure i6 extends downwardly and rearwardly from .thle skirt I6 and is supported on a shelf I8 carried by the rear wall lll, and secured in position by pivot bolts i9 to straps 2u secured to the end walls of the show case. A slot lSa in a transverse iin element 26 at the end of the baille structure receives the pivot bolt I9 and allows sufficient endwise movement of the bale structure away from the shelf element i8 to enable the baille structure to assume the horizontal position illustrated by the dot and dash lines ita, as shown in Figure 2.

From this description it will be understood that the rear wall i6, top it, depending skirt l5 and baffle structure icooperate to denne a cooling chamber 2l. A plurality of refrigerant coils 22 is positioned within the cooling compartment 2l and is Secured in position by attachment to the rear wall l0.

The bafiie structure i6 preferably comprises a primary front bae 23 and a rear baie 2t laterally spaced therefrom to denne an air duct 25 A therebetween. The baflles Z3 and 2li extend lengthwise of the show case and are integrally connected by a plurality of transverse fin elements 25 at intervals throughout the length of the baflles. Both baffles 23 and 2li are of insulated construction to minimize conduction of heat therethrough. A mirror 21 is preferably mounted on the front side of the primary baille 23 in order to reflect the contents of the display chamber 28. The display chamber 28 is enclosed by the longitudinal transparent panel' I3, the transverse transparent panels 26 and 39, the bottom l l and the rear wall Ill.

A perforated rack 3l forms the lower support for the products displayed in the chamber 28 and this rack 3i may be supported in any one of several optional positions upon the supports 32. The supports 32 and the rack 3l are carried by the drawer 46 which is slidably mounted within the showcase upon rails lil. Several such drawers 4l) extend across the back side l0 of the showcase, each carrying its own adjustable rack 3|. Drawer pulls or handles 42 are provided \"h`ch may be of any desirable shape or configuration. This provision of rearwardly opening drawers enables a butcher or shopkeeper working behind the showcase to replenish the supply of meat, vegetables, etc., without going around the showcase to the customers side.

A drain 33 may be provided in the floor as shown.

In the normal operation ci' this device the refrigerant tubes 22 cool the air within the compartment 2|, thereby increasing the density and causing it to fall downwardly within the compartment 2| and into the rear portion of the display chamber 28. The iniiux of air in the rear of the chamber 28 requires that an equivalent volume of air be displaced therefrom. This displaced air passes into the lower end of the duct 25 between the bailies 23 and 24 and passes upwardly through the duct 25 into the cooling compartment 2|. As the air circulates from the cooling compartment 2| through the display chamber 28, it absorbs heat from the food displayed in the chamber 28 and from conduction through the transparent panels i3, 29 and 38. The air outside the refrigerator is warmer and, hence, of lower density. Accordingly, the inilux of air through the open top of the display chamber 28 is negligible. The relatively warmer air within the display chamber 28, which is displaced by the cool air entering the rear of the chamber 28 accordingly does not pass outwardly through the access opening into the chamber, but iiows in the direction indicated by the arrows into the lower end of the duct 25 as described.

The ends 34 and 35 of the show case extend forwardly beyond the location of the mirror 2l and a roll edge frontal member 36 extends longitudinally of the case between the end members 34 and 35. The member 36 terminates at a lower edge 3l about the same level as the upper end of the mirror 21. A light source, such as fluorescent tubes 38, may be mounted within the member 36 to illuminate the contents of the display chamber 28 and, also, to light up the transparent panes 39 mounted in the member 36 in front of the fluorescent tubes 38.

It is important to provide easy access to. the refrigerant coils 22. This is necessary to provide for inspection of frost accumulation and for maintenance and repairs as well as for cleaning. In the embodiment of this invention,

mounting of the baille structure I6. By rst releasing they fastener elements I1, the entire baille structure, including the primary baille 23 and secbolts I9 until the baille structure assumes a substantially horizontal dot and dash lines structure in this inoperative position, be had directly to vention is of the full claims.

We claim:

thickness of 1. In a refrigerated show case, the combination oi a display chamber open at the top for access to the contents of the chamber, a cooling compartment positioned within the showcase in a position above and to the rear of the display chamber, cooling means including refrigerant tubes mounted in said cooling compartment, duct means leading from the rear of the display chamber to the front of the cooling compartment for conveying airfrom display chamber to the cooling compartment, said duct means including an integral structure having spaced parallel bailles extending longitudinally of the show case between the display chamber and the cooling compartment, the pivotal means associated with the duct means near the lower end thereof to permit pivotal movement of the said structure as a unit to an inoperative position to gain access to the cooling means from the front of the show case.

2. In a refrigerated show case, the combination of a display chamber open at the top for access to the contents of the chamber, a cooling compartment positioned within the showcase in a position above and to the rear of the display chamber, cooling means including refrigerant tubes mounted in said cooling compartment, duct means leading from the rear of the displaychamber to the front of the cooling compartment for conveying air from display chamber to the cooling compartment, said duct means including an integral structure having spaced parallel bailles extending longitudinally of the show case between the display chamber and the ment, each of said bames including a substantial thereof to permit pivotal movement of the said structure as a unit to an inoperative position to gain access to the cooling means from the front of the show case.

3. In a refrigerated show case. the combination o compartment positioned within the show case in a position above and to the rear of the display chamber, cooling means including refrigerant tubes mounted in said cooling compartment, duct means leading from the rear of the display chamber to the front of the cooling compartment for conveying air from display chamber to the cooling compartment, said duct means including an integral structure having spaced parallel bailles exof the said structure as position to gain access to the cooling means from the front of the show case.

4. In a refrigerated show case, the combination of a display chamber open at the top for access to the` contents of the chamber, a cooling comwithin the show case in a ing compartment, said duct means including an integral structure having spaced parallel bailles extending longitudinally of the show case between the display chamber'and the cooling compartment. supporting means for said structure includinga pivotal mounting near the lower end, a releasable fastener near the upper end, whereby the structure may be pvoted as a unit away from operative position, upon'release of said fastener, to provide access to the cooling means from the front of the show case.

5. A refrigerated show case, having in combination walls defining a display chamber open at the top to provide access to the contents of the display chamber, said walls including a rear wall extending above extending forwardly from the upper end of the rear wall, a skirt member depending from the top wall, a baille structure releasably secured to the depending skirt and extending downwardly and rearwardly therefrom, the rear wall, top wall, depending skirt and baille structure cooperating t0 define a cooling compartment above the display chamber, refrigerant tubes in said comparte ment, said baiiie structure including spaced parallel baille elements forming an air duct therebetween and extending longitudinally of the show case, and pivotal supporting means near the lower end ofvsaid baille structure whereby it may be swung yinto an inoperative position over said access opening to expose the refrigerant tubes from the front of the show case.

6. A refrigerated show case, having in vcombination walls Adefining a display chamber open at the top to provide access to the contentsv of the display chamber, said walls including a rear wall extending above the access opening, a top wall extending forwardly from the upper end of the rear wall, a skirt member depending from the top wall, a baie structure releasably secured to the depending skirt and extending downwardly therefrom, refrigerant tubes positioned between the baille structure and said rear wall, said baille structure including spaced parallel baffle ele,- ments forming an air duct therebetween and extending longitudinally of the show case, and pivotal supporting means near the lower end of said baille structure whereby it may be swung into an inoperative position over said access opening to expose the refrigerant tubes from thefront of the show case.

7. A refrigerated showcase, having in combination walls defining a display chamber open at the the access opening, a top wall top to provide access to the contents of the display chamber, said walls including a rear wall extending above the level of the access opening, a drawer slidably mounted for opening movement through the rear wall, means carried by the drawer for supporting articles in the display chamber, means associated with the upper portion ofthe rear wall deiining a cooling chamber, and duct means for conveying air from the display chamber to the cooling chamber.

8. A refrigerated showcase, having in combination walls defining a display chamber open at the top to provide access to the contents of the display chamber, said walls including a rear wall extending above the level of the access opening, a drawer slidably mounted for opening movement through the rear wall, a perforated rack adjustably mounted in the drawer for supporting articles in the display chamber, means associated with the upper portion of the rear wall defining a cooling chamber, and. duct means for conveying air from the display chamber to the cool- Y ing chamber.

9. A refrigerated showcase, having in combination walls defining a display chamber open at the top to provide access to the contents of the display chamber, said walls including a rear wall extending above the level of the access opening,

a drawer slidably mounted for opening movement through the rear wall, a perforated rack mounted in the drawer for supporting articles in the diS- play chamber, means associated with the upper portion of the rear wall defining a cooling chamber, and duct means leading from the display chamber to the cooling chamber within the showcase whereby air may circulate between the chambers by passing upwardly from the display chamber through the duct means to the cooling chamber and passing downwardly from the cooling chamber into the display chamber and through the perforated rack.

ALOIS L. WEBER.

KARL A. WEBER.

REFERENCES orrnn i The following references are oi' recordin the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,083,442 Gardner June 8, 1937 2,379,885 Davis July 10, 1945 2,382,937 Aus. 14, 1945 Caals et si, 

